Golf putter and method of putting

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a golf putter, including an elongated shaft with a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion having a neck engaging portion. The golf putter also includes a putter head element, having a top portion with a head portion and a hosel or butt portion. The first end of the shaft is attached to and extends from the top portion. The putter head element also includes a bottom portion and a putting face for contacting the golf ball. The elongated shaft is sized to extend at least adjacent a user&#39;s neck area, such that the neck engaging portion contacts the user&#39;s neck. A method of putting a golf ball is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Serial No. 60/372,443, filed Apr. 15, 2002, entitled“Golf Putter and Method of Putting”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to golf clubs andgolfing, and, in particular, to an elongated golf putter and method ofputting.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Golf is one of the most popular sports and pastimes in the worldtoday. It is one of the few sports that attracts a wide range of playersand demographics. Due to the popularity of golf, new and improved golfclubs, as well as other equipment, are continually developed in order toassist and improve the game and the player's scores, including thescores of professional, amateur and recreational players. Golf clubs areparticularly subject to research and development and are the mostimportant equipment components in the game.

[0006] One of the most important aspects of the game of golf is the“putting game.” Using a golf putter, a player strikes the golf ball,typically when it is located on or near the golf green toward andpreferably into the hole. As putting is a critical aspect of the game,many different golf putters have been developed. For example, puttershave been developed with various shapes and designs, which attempt toassist a user in his or her putting stroke. For example, see U.S. Pat.Nos.: 5,328,185 to Finnigan et al.; 5,465,971 to Tischler; 5,520,392 toForesi et al.; 6,123,625 to Koblentz; 6,190,266 to Pamias; and 6,283,874to Studebaker. Further, certain shaft modifications and putting trainingdevices have been developed, also to assist the user in putting. Forexample, see U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,156,401 to Hodgkiss; 5,308,071 to Lewis;and 5,342,055 to Diley. Finally, in order to increase stability, puttershave been developed with elongated and substantially straight shafts,together with methods of using these putters. For example, see U.S. Pat.Nos.: 1,967,355 to Edwards; 3,524,646 to Wheeler; 4,163,554 toBernhardt; 5,024,438 to Candow; 5,029,860 to Ehrich; 5,083,779 toUngermann; 5,127,650 to Schneller; 5,209,474 to Voyer; 5,282,619 toNapolitano et al.; 5,649,870 to Harrison; 5,653,644 to Jaeckel;5,947,837 to Perry; 5,961,399 to Boyle; 6,039,657 to Gidney; and6,048,275 to Gedeon.

[0007] While prior art golf putters may provide some assistance inmaintaining a consistent putting stroke, increasing accuracy andincreasing putting consistency, there remains considerable room in theart for further improvement in golf putters and methods of putting. Forexample, consistency in one's putting stroke is important, such that theonly remaining variable when putting is the slope, distance and grain ofthe putting surface. Therefore, increased consistency will lead toincreased accuracy, an improved putting stroke, and a lower score.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf putterand method of putting which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf putterand method of putting that improves a golfer's putting strokeconsistency. It is yet another object of the present invention toprovide a golf putter and a method of putting that lead to increasedaccuracy and stability of stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is directed to a golf putter, including anelongated shaft having a first end, a second end and an intermediateportion having a neck engaging portion. The golf putter also includes aputter head element, which has a top portion with a head portion and ahosel or butt portion, and the first end of the shaft is attached to andextends from the top portion. The putter head element includes a bottomportion, as well as a putting face for contacting the golf ball.Typically, a pliant padding element, in the form of a grip or other padsurrounds a portion of the shaft. The elongated shaft is sized to extendat least adjacent a user's neck area, such that the neck engagingportion contacts the user's neck.

[0010] The present invention is also directed to a method of putting agolf ball, including the steps of: (a) providing a golf putter with anelongated shaft having a putter head element attached to an end of theelongated shaft; (b) placing a portion of the elongated shaft against auser's shoulder area and adjacent and in contact with a user's neck; (c)moving the golf putter in a pendulum swing pattern, with a portion ofthe elongated shaft adjacent the user's neck acting as a fulcrum; and(d) striking the golf ball with the putter head element.

[0011] The present invention, both as to its construction and its methodof operation, together with the additional objects and advantagesthereof, will best be understood from the following description ofexemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putter according to thepresent invention; and

[0013]FIGS. 2a-2 d show various photographic views of a person engagingand using the golf putter of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”“lower”, “right”, “left ”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom” andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented inthe drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the inventionmay assume various alternative variations and step sequences, exceptwhere expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understoodthat the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attacheddrawings, and described in the following specification, are simplyexemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0015] Various numerical ranges are disclosed in this patentapplication. Because these ranges are continuous, they include everyvalue between the minimum and maximum values. Unless expressly indicatedotherwise, the various numerical ranges specified in this applicationare approximations.

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a golf putter 10 according to the presentinvention. This golf putter 10 includes an elongated shaft 12 having anelongated shaft first end 14, an elongated shaft second end 16, and alength a. Further, this elongated shaft 12 includes an elongated shaftintermediate portion 18, which includes a neck engaging portion 20.

[0017] Located on the elongated shaft first end 14 and attached thereto,is a putter head element 22. This putter head element 22 has a topportion 24 having a head portion 26 and a hosel portion 28.Specifically, the elongated shaft first end 14 is attached to the topportion 24 of the putter head element 22 and extends away from this topportion 24. The putter head element 22 also includes a bottom portion 30and a putting face 32. The putting face 32 is used to contact a golfball 40 in order to direct the golf ball 40 towards the hole on thegreen. The elongated shaft first end 14 is connected to the top portion24 of the putter head element 22 in a conventional manner and usingtechniques well known in the art. For example, the elongated shaft firstend 14 can be welded to the top portion 24, or, the elongated shaftfirst end 14 can be adapted to frictionally fit a hosel on the hoselportion 28 and welding, adhesive, bonding or other fixation means usedto permanently attach the elongated shaft first end 14 with the putterhead element 22.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the elongated shaft 12 is sized such that itextends at least adjacent to a neck 34 of a user 36. Specifically, theneck engaging portion 20 is adapted to contact the user's neck 34, whilethe user's hands 38 grip the elongated shaft 12 on the elongated shaftintermediate portion 18. The combination of the user's grip on theelongated shaft intermediate portion 18 and the contact between the neckengaging portion 20 and the user's neck 34 provides a steadier hold onthe golf putter 10.

[0019] In operation, as seen in FIG. 2, after the user 36 grips theelongated shaft intermediate portion 18 and places the neck engagingportion 20 in contact with his or her neck 34, the user 36 moves theelongated shaft intermediate portion 18 away from the golf ball 40 usinga pendulum swing pattern, but maintaining contact between the neckengaging portion 20 and the user's neck 34. This pendulum swing patternresults in the neck engaging portion 20/neck 34 interface acting as afulcrum or pivot point.

[0020] After the user 36 has moved the putter head element 22 away fromthe golf ball 40 by moving the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18,the user 36 then moves the putter head element 22 towards the golf ball40, such that the putting face 32 of the putter head element 22 contactsthe golf ball 40, moving it in the desired direction. It is the use ofthe elongated shaft 12, together with the engagement of the user's neck34 by the neck engaging portion 20, that provides stability, andtherefore, consistency, in the user's putting stroke.

[0021] In order to provide the user 36 with a better grip between his orher hands 38 and the elongated shaft 12, it is envisioned that a pliantpadding element 42 be utilized. This pliant padding element 42 islocated on the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18 at a positionthat corresponds with a typical user's grip location. A second pliantpadding element 44 may also extend at or near the neck engaging portion20, providing the user 36 with a guide and non-visual (touch) feel forthe positioning of the golf putter 10. Alternatively, a one piece pliantpadding may extend from the elongated shaft intermediate portion 18 at aposition that corresponds with a typical user's grip location to theelongated shaft second end 16. The first pliant padding element 42 andthe second pliant padding element 44 can be manufactured from a varietyof materials. For example, materials of manufacture may include rubber,foam, leather, polymer, plastic, padding material, etc. Further, one orboth of the first pliant padding element 42 and the second pliantpadding element 44 can be constructed from multiple layers, such as afirst padding layer surrounded by a leather grip.

[0022] Depending upon the height of the user 36, it is envisioned thatthe shaft 12 length a may be 58 inches for a typical user 36. However,the length a would vary according to the height of the user 36. Forexample, it is also envisioned that multiple and different sized golfputters 10 could be offered (58 inch, 63 inch, 68 inch, etc.). Theelongated shaft 12 length a may be in the range of about 36 inches toabout 80 inches, as long as the neck engaging portion 20 isappropriately positioned by the user.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment, the elongated shaft first end 14 isattached to the hosel portion 28 of the putter head element 22 and mayhave any range of lie angles. For example, the elongated shaft 12 mayhave a lie angle of 83°, with respect to the flat surface upon which thebottom portion 30 of the putter head element 22 rests. However, any lieangle is envisioned, for example the lie angle may be in the range ofabout 80° to about 90° with respect to the flat surface upon which thebottom portion 30 of the putter head element 22 rests.

[0024] The present invention is also directed to a method of putting agolf ball. As seen in FIG. 2, the user 36 grips the pliant paddingelement 42 with his or her hands 38 and places the neck engaging portion20 of the elongated shaft 12 against his or her neck 34.

[0025] Once in position, the user 36 moves the putter head element 22away from the golf ball 40 by moving the pliant padding element 42 awayfrom the golf ball 40, while continuing to keep the neck engagingportion 20 in contact with the user's neck 34. This necessarily resultsin a pendulum swing pattern, with the neck engaging portion 20 acting asa fulcrum or pivot point for the user's movement. After the user 36 hasmoved the putter head element 22 the desired distance from the golf ball40, the user 36 then moves the putter head element 22 towards the golfball 40, thereby striking the golf ball 40 towards a target area, suchas a golf cup.

[0026] The golf putter 10 and method of putting of the present inventionprovides extra stability for a golfer's putting stroke. The golf putter10 and method of putting therefore increases accuracy and consistency inthe golfer's putting game. Further, the golf putter 10 is necessarilysized and shaped to appropriately and adequately accommodate the varyingheights of the golfer.

[0027] This invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to othersupon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It isintended that the invention be construed as including all suchmodifications and alterations.

The invention claimed is
 1. A golf putter, comprising: an elongatedshaft having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portionhaving a neck engaging portion; a putter head element, including: (i) atop portion having a head portion and a hosel portion, wherein the firstend of the shaft attached to and extending from the top portion; (ii) abottom portion; and (iii) a putting face configured to contact a golfball; wherein, the elongated shaft is sized to extend at least adjacenta user's neck area and the neck engaging portion is configured tocontact the user's neck area.
 2. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein theelongated shaft first end is attached to the putter head element topportion via a welding process.
 3. The golf putter of claim 1, whereinthe hosel portion includes a hosel orifice, and the elongated shaftfirst end is configured to frictionally engage the hosel orifice,thereby securing the elongated shaft to the putter head element.
 4. Thegolf putter of claim 3, wherein the elongated shaft first end is furthersecured within the hosel orifice via at least one of welding, adhesiveand bonding.
 5. The golf putter of claim 1, further comprising a pliantpadding element surrounding at least a portion of the intermediateportion of the elongated shaft.
 6. The golf putter of claim 5, whereinthe pliant padding element is positioned at least partially in a user'sgrip area located on the elongated shaft and configured to allow a userto grip the pliant padding element to assist in utilizing the golfputter.
 7. The golf putter of claim 5, wherein the pliant paddingelement is positioned at least partially on the neck engaging portion ofthe intermediate portion of the elongated shaft and configured to allowa user to place the user's neck against the pliant padding element. 8.The golf putter of claim 5, wherein the pliant padding element extendssubstantially from the elongated shaft first end to the elongated shaftsecond end.
 9. The golf putter of claim 5, wherein the pliant paddingelement is at least partially manufactured from at least one of rubber,foam, leather, polymer, plastic and padding material.
 10. The golfputter of claim 1, further comprising: a first pliant padding elementsurrounding a user's grip area located on the elongated shaft andconfigured to allow a user to grip the first pliant padding element toassist in utilizing the golf putter; and a second pliant padding elementsurrounding the neck engaging portion of the intermediate portion of theelongated shaft and configured to allow a user to place the user's neckagainst the second pliant padding element.
 11. The golf putter of claim1, wherein the length of the elongated shaft is in the range of about 36inches to about 80 inches.
 12. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein thelength of the elongated shaft is in the range of about 50 inches toabout 70 inches.
 13. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the length ofthe elongated shaft is 58 inches.
 14. The golf putter of claim 1,wherein an angle created between the elongated shaft first end and thetop portion of the putter head element is in the range of about 80° toabout 90°, with respect to a substantially flat surface upon which thebottom portion of the putter head element rests.
 15. The golf putter ofclaim 1, wherein an angle created between the elongated shaft first endand the top portion of the putter head element is 83°, with respect to asubstantially flat surface upon which the bottom portion of the putterhead element rests.
 16. A method of putting a golf ball, comprising thesteps of: providing a golf putter with an elongated shaft having aputter head element attached to an end of the elongated shaft; placing aportion of the elongated shaft against a user's shoulder area andadjacent and in contact with a user's neck; moving the golf putter in apendulum swing pattern, with a portion of the elongated shaft adjacentthe user's neck acting as a fulcrum; and striking the golf ball with theputter head element towards an object point.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein a pliant padding element surrounds at least a portion of theelongated shaft.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the length of theelongated shaft is in the range of about 36 inches to about 80 inches.19. The method of claim 16, wherein the length of the elongated shaft isin the range of about 50 inches to about 70 inches.
 20. A golf putter,comprising: an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end and anintermediate portion having a neck engaging portion; a first pliantpadding element surrounding a user's grip area located on the elongatedshaft and configured to allow a user to grip the first pliant paddingelement to assist in utilizing the golf putter; a second pliant paddingelement surrounding the neck engaging portion of the intermediateportion of the elongated shaft and configured to allow a user to placethe user's neck against the second pliant padding element; and a putterhead element, including: (i) a top portion having a head portion and ahosel portion, wherein the first end of the shaft attached to andextending from the top portion; (ii) a bottom portion; and (iii) aputting face configured to contact a golf ball; wherein the length ofthe elongated shaft is in the range of about 36 inches to about 80inches; wherein an angle created between the elongated shaft first endand the top portion of the putter head element is in the range of about80° to about 90°, with respect to a substantially flat surface uponwhich the bottom portion of the putter head element rests.